In Other News

ACTIVIST GROUP Oregon Action plans to present a petition to Police Chief Rosie Sizer next Monday, May 19, signed by more than 600 "concerned community members" who think the police bureau has been too slow to take action on racial profiling. The presentation of the petition will mark the two-year anniversary of the first listening session between the community and the police—"and yet no substantial action has been taken to date," says the group, in releasing the petition to the media. So far, Chief Sizer has only presented "elements of a plan," in March 2007, and the racial profiling committee has been mired in controversy. Last month the police union effectively took discussion of the issue back to square one, hiring a Kansas consultant to tell the group no proof racial profiling exists, after he looked at the numbers ["You Can't Prove It," News, April 24]. Copies of the petition can be found at blogtown.portlandmercury.com/news. MD

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CITY AUDITORGary Blackmer has appointed Portland Deputy District Attorney Mary-Beth Baptista as new director of the Independent Police Review division. The previous director, Leslie Stevens, left in February to take a job within the police bureau. Baptista has been a DA for seven years, and her appointment was the result of a "national search," according to Blackmer, who said Baptista had experience "working with victims." However, as a prosecutor, Baptista is used to representing the police side in court cases. In her most recent role, her "experience working with victims" is limited to crime victims, whereas often, those filing complaints against the police are alleged criminals themselves. Nevertheless, court sources say Baptista's reputation as a DA has been fair, and blemish free. MD

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JOIN US on Blogtown on election night—Tuesday, May 20—as we bring you live coverage of the evening's election results. Also tune in to get the candidates' election night party plans, so you can join the likes of Sho Dozono or Sam Adams—and maybe even Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton—as they celebrate (or cry). Finally, if you haven't voted yet, ballots are due to the county elections office (1040 SE Morrison) by 8 pm. Check portlandmercury.com for our endorsements and a voting cheat sheet! AJR